A New Phase for Global Green Building
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has officially launched project certification for the LEED v5 rating system, marking the latest evolution of the globally recognised green building standard. This launch coincides with the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Los Angeles, where the organisation is conducting practical training sessions, workshops, and on-site demonstrations to encourage worldwide adoption.
LEED v5 redefines the pathway for buildings to achieve near-zero carbon status by incorporating stricter energy, resilience, and human-health metrics. It aligns closely with global decarbonisation goals, offering a framework that positions the built environment as a tool for climate mitigation and quality-of-life enhancements.
“Since releasing the rating system earlier this year, we’ve seen a rapid spread of interest across the industry,” said Peter Templeton, USGBC President and CEO. “Recognising that LEED v5 represents a major step forward, we’re providing new resources and hands-on guidance to ensure users can apply the system effectively.”
New Tools and Integration Pathways
The LEED v5 platform includes digital scorecards and calculation tools centred around three main impact pillars: decarbonisation, quality of life, and ecosystem restoration. Supporting materials — such as the updated LEED v5 Reference Guide, scorecard builders, recertification guides, and a decarbonisation workbook — provide project teams with detailed pathways from design to verification.
In a move towards convergence across green-building systems, USGBC has also introduced revised “crosswalks” that align LEED v5 with the International WELL Building Institute’s WELL standard and the SITES programme for landscape and site sustainability. This interoperability is expected to simplify certification for developers pursuing multiple frameworks, reducing administrative time and costs while enhancing alignment with investor-preferred sustainability benchmarks.
Data-Driven Benefits for Developers and Investors
According to recent analysis by Cushman & Wakefield, buildings achieving LEED certification tend to outperform peers in terms of asset value, occupancy, and rental yields. LEED v5 aims to strengthen this value proposition by making carbon reduction and efficiency metrics central to its top-tier certifications. For the first time, LEED Platinum projects must meet minimum verified carbon-reduction thresholds, positioning them as models for net-zero transition.
Through early pilot testing of LEED v5 for Operations and Maintenance (O+M), more than 20 projects worldwide have already been certified, reporting lower operating costs, stronger tenant satisfaction, and measurable environmental gains. The framework’s new Decarbonisation and Capital Planning protocols require significant reductions in on-site energy use, emissions, and water consumption — criteria that resonate with corporate climate-risk management and investor disclosure requirements under the SEC, CSRD, and ISSB frameworks.
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Human and Economic Dimensions of Design
In Mexico City, the LEED v5 Platinum-certified Torre Diana has become a showcase of this integrated approach. “LEED certification is not only a technical standard but a symbol of prestige,” said Felipe Flores, Director of Operations at Reichmann International. “Tenants feel proud to be part of the project, which fosters stronger, longer-term relationships. It proves that sustainability, performance, and a future-focused vision can operate together.”
The programme’s emphasis on human well-being — including air quality
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